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SHS band to play new composition tonight

The Sycamore High School Band spring concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. today in the Sycamore High School auditorium.

Both the Concert Band and Symphonic Band will perform pieces with water-based themes, including Handel’s “Water Music,” the spiritual “Deep River” and Gliere’s “Russian Sailors’ Dance.”

The Symphonic Band also will perform the new composition “Deep, Like the Rivers,” composed by Robert Bradshaw. This piece was commissioned by Bill Gilmer’s family in honor of his upcoming retirement as band director after teaching the past 28 years at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park. Ken Goodman, SHS band director, is a Willowbrook High School alum and a former student of Gilmer. This piece was co-commissioned by bands from Sycamore High School, Addison Trail High School, St. Charles East High School and Bowling Green State University. This will be only the second performance of this new work for band.

Bradshaw recently visited Sycamore High and worked with musicians from the Symphonic Band. He listened to the band perform, offered suggestions, explained the background and history of this piece, and answered questions from students.

“It was a pleasure to have Mr. Bradshaw take the time to travel to Sycamore and participate in our rehearsal,” Goodman said in a news release. “It was a great opportunity for the students to meet the composer in person and have the experience of working directly with a living composer.”

Goodman thanked the Sycamore Music Boosters for their assistance in funding the commissioning of the piece.

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